GS500F: any good?

[PrincessBandit]

My 20 year old son loves his. It's a great bike, which I've enjoyed riding occasionally. (He borrows my bandit from time to time, but would not part easily with his GS). Only thing he's spent money on is the faring (which he dropped at walking pace turn, twice ). Other than that an ideal bike for someone getting back into riding, or a step up. Reality is, the open road speed limit is only 100kph so all the grunt, scream and g-force that other bikes give is pretty redundant for lots of people.

[Ender EnZed]

I would have trouble parting my money for one tho and would go looking at other bikes (Bandit 600, Gladius, Honda CB600F, Kawasaki 650 etc).

You'd be looking at parting with significantly more money than would get you a GS500 of the same age, milage and condition.

They're fucking great wee bikes.

+1

[davebullet]

Just watch out for rust on later models. You need to be onto the upkeep / WD40 etc.. to prevent early corrosion.

[nzspokes]

Seems they go ok. 200kph would be fast enough for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWnUsWGnaoI

[Tigadee]

205kph?! Madness!

Looks like your next bike, Spokes?

[nzspokes]

205kph?! Madness!

Looks like your next bike, Spokes?

We shall see. All I really want over my 250 is more go from say 90 to 120 for overtaking. Not interested in any more than that. Only thing I have against them is no fuel guage. Going to go sit on one today. Overnight web surfing has come up with a couple of websites with mods you can do. They race them in the US. And the pre 95 ones are better because they are made in Japan.

Going to try sit on one today.

[jrandom]

Mrs Me is looking at getting off the back of my bike and being in command of her own destiny when we go for a ride....

She likes the look of the GS500F with the fairing which, I agree is a good bike to start with and a step above her CB125 she took to Uni a few years ago ...

They're a choice bike. Good honest machine. I very nearly bought one instead of my Scorpio. Go for it.

[Usarka]

I learnt to ride on a gs500E - fond memories.

[Oakie]

Yeah, I really don't think you'd be disappointed if your intended use fits its modest capabilites. Like I said, I'd look at one again after the Bandit if touring two up was no longer going to be an option.

[Tigadee]

Only thing I have against them is no fuel guage. Overnight web surfing has come up with a couple of websites with mods you can do.

Are these mods to fit a fuel gauge? I'd be interested in that as the Venox I just bought doesn't have a fuel gauge and I'd very much prefer that it does...

[Katman]

I have never yet found a fuel guage on a motorcycle that reads anything resembling accurately.

Between the trip meter, the reserve tap, and the ability to remove the cap and look in the tank, there is no need for a fuel guage.

[Tigadee]

Still, a fuel gauge is better than none...

[Katman]

Still, a fuel gauge is better than none...

Perhaps you should get yourself a nice little Mazda.

[FJRider]

Are these mods to fit a fuel gauge? I'd be interested in that as the Venox I just bought doesn't have a fuel gauge and I'd very much prefer that it does...

Trust a fuel gauge and that trust will be let down. If you need to know ... LOOK ...

[sil3nt]

Still, a fuel gauge is better than none...

Probably not. If you get used to relying on a fuel gauge you will most likely find yourself standing next to the bike on the motorway....

Everyone else manages without a gauge i am sure you can too.